About Project New Start

Our Mission

Project New Start combats violence and reduces recidivism by assisting individuals in their transition to long-term success.

Our Vision

To inspire a culture of respect, integrity, innovation and excellence.

To be a leader in combating violence, reducing recidivism and supporting individual success.

Our Values

Respect Integrity Excellence Accountability

Project New Start operates a comprehensive, results-oriented cognitive behavioral change/job-readiness program for individuals transitioning out of state and federal institutions. The goals of our New Start Reentry Program are to assist individuals in developing marketable skills, obtaining and sustaining employment and developing positive behaviors through cognitive restructuring.. And we're doing just that! Project New Start 's recidivism rate is under 25% compared to 76% in the state, and over 90% of program graduates have secured employment.

History

From 1984 to 2013, as President of Professional Staffing Associates, Inc., my organization provided a business training program that we created to assist unemployed and under-employed individuals secure employment. Over the years, my talented, dedicated, professional team assisted approximately 2,000 individuals obtain and sustain good jobs.

“WE EMBRACED A NEW CHALLENGE – TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF A CRIME EPIDEMIC IN WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.”

— Priscilla Turgon, Founder and Executive Director

In July 2013, we made the decision to embrace a new challenge and become a catalyst for change in providing a solution to address the poverty, stressed families and high educational dropout rates contributing to violent crime in Delaware. To accomplish this, Project New Start, Inc. was established as a non-profit entity and the New Start reentry program was created to guide individuals transitioning out of state and federal institutions in their personal and professional development. The New Start program equips participants with the skills to successfully re-enter the workforce, contribute positively to their families and communities, and transform themselves into ex-offenders.